Morning Edition Host, KERA News

MORNING EDITION HOST, KERA NEWS

KERA, the public broadcasting organization for North Texas, is hiring a host to take over one of our station’s most visible and influential on-air roles.

WHO WE ARE:

Serving the country’s fourth-largest media market, KERA reaches more than 5 million people monthly through KERA TV, KERA News, KXT, WRR and The Denton Record-Chronicle. For more than 60 years, North Texans have turned to KERA as a destination for community engagement and lifelong learning.

As we seek to recognize and reflect our audience and communities, we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and points of view to consider employment opportunities at KERA.

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE:

The Morning Edition Host will play a critical role in making sure KERA is reaching our North Texas audiences each morning with reliable, in-the-moment information. According to Nielsen from January to September 2025, KERA News reached over 220,000 people 6+ weekly, Monday through Friday 6 to 10 a.m., in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro. With the morning newscaster, the host will be a key voice and face of KERA’s effort to cement itself as a credible and dynamic news organization.

The ideal candidate will be able to work both collaboratively with staff and independently, executing a conversational yet authoritative sound and exhibiting professionalism in all situations. We’re looking for someone with excellent board operation skills and an ability to craft engaging, seamless breaks highlighting the national stories of the day alongside the local news content from the KERA Newsroom. Collaboration is key to this role and achieving the sound we seek for Morning Edition on KERA News.

The ideal candidate will have radio experience, and be willing to bring a fresh, conversational sound to our morning programming.

The Morning Edition Host position is classified as FLSA non-exempt, which is eligible for overtime and will report directly to the Program Director, KERA News.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Serve as a high-profile local host on KERA FM, leading work on the most-listened-to show of the week for a discerning audience that craves and strongly supports good, local journalism.
• Plan, stack and execute dynamic, conversational breaks that engage audiences and deliver a variety of promotional, informational and news content from our state and national partners and KERA’s local newsroom.
• Serve on behalf of KERA as a spokesperson and/or representative at assigned station events or other community related forums. Be comfortable and capable as a public speaker.
• Work in a live and pre-recorded broadcast environment with ease, and at times, with limited preparation.
• Operate and manage multiple inter-connecting broadcast systems and technologies.
• Write liner copy to promote top local and national stories, and other KERA News priorities throughout the day.
• Produce daily programming promos and other production needs. Voice promo copy.
• Regularly host two-way conversations with KERA News reporters and other news partners.
• Occasionally contribute to breaking news coverage and special coverage outside of normally scheduled shift.
  
  

As a KERA employee: 

• Participate in broadcast and online fundraising as needed.
• Work in a manner that is consistent with KERA’s mission, vision and values; and maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures       
• Perform additional duties as assigned 

This list of job duties is not exhaustive and is subject to regular reviews and updates. 

WHO YOU ARE:

We believe a strong organization includes employees from a range of backgrounds, with different skills, experiences and passions. If you don't meet every job qualification but have some of these skills and think you’re the right person for the job, we'd like to hear from you. Please apply and tell us more about yourself.

• 3+ years of hosting experience
• Comfortable and willing to be creative in a live broadcast environment
• Skilled broadcast board operator with knowledge of FCC radio requirements
• Professional, punctual and able to work an early shift
• Significant experience working with a team and a desire to collaborate
• High proficiency with computer apps and software
• Experience producing, recording and engineering audio content

BONUS IF YOU BRING:

• Knowledge of communities and culture in North Texas and around the state
• Previous experience in public media, especially at an NPR member station in a top 25 market
• News or journalism background
• Experience using social media as a high-profile individual in media
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred)
  
  
  

SALARY RANGE

• $65,000-$70,0000 depending on experience

BENEFITS

• Generous vacation (3 weeks), sick (8 days), personal time (2 days) and holidays (11)
• Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance
• KERA-paid short and long-term disability, basic life insurance and AD&D insurance
• Flexible scheduling and hybrid work environment
• 401k plan with KERA-contribution after 6 months
• Robust employee assistance program available to the employee and all members of their household
• Strong company culture focused on connection, belonging and professional growth

LOCATION:

We expect this position to work out of our Dallas office for all Morning Edition hosting shifts and recording and voicing needs, which we expect to be at least 85% of the time.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Complete the application on KERA’s employment page.
• Add an optional cover letter indicating why you’re excited about joining the KERA team.
• Please include a demo reel of on-air work – this can be sent directly to Jeff Penfield, Program Director, KERA News at jpenfield@kera.org

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

We generally close roles 2-4 weeks after posting. The hiring process may continue for several weeks after the closing of the role depending on the number of applicants.

KERA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

KERA believes that diversity is important to our success. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.